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Published: July 17th 2006
Uluru Campsite
Our Campsite at UluruDay 12 Uluru to Kings Canyon
We awoke around 7.30am and got up shortly after. After breakfast, we completed the packing and left Ayers Rock Resort around 10am. We drove straight through to Kings Creek Station, arriving around 1pm. The changes in the landscape were very noticeable, with a lot more trees and denser undergrowth as we moved closer to Kings Canyon. After having lunch, we checked out the facilities and the fuel prices and at $185.99 lt, we decided to push onto Kings Canyon Resort. On our arrival at 2.30pm, we were informed there were no powered sites until tomorrow. We pondered returning to Kings Creek Station, but decided to take a non-powered for the first night and move to a powered site for the remaining two nights we booked. By 4.15 we were set up and we relaxed until dinner time. After dinner we met a Swiss couple, camped next door, who were traveling Australia in an EB Falcon Wagon for 4 months and New Zealand for 2 months before heading home. It was very interesting discussing their trip so far in Australia, and the cultural/political differences between here and Switzerland. It was to be an early night
Kings Canyon
Our Unpowered Campsite for the boys but was 9.30 before we got them to bed. We had heard the weather was to turn wet with storms forecast overnight.
Day 13 Kings Canyon
We awoke early after a windy night and no rain. The sky was cloudy but it didn’t appear to be rain cloud. As we had to move to a powered sight, we packed up quickly after breakfast (in record time). Once we confirmed our new site was vacated, we moved the trailer in. Then to our dismay, I bent about 6 pegs trying to get them far enough into the ground to hold guy ropes and the tent floor. We even spoke with the people in the Resort Office regarding a site with softer ground. But with a little perseverance and peg straightening, I managed to get enough pegs into the ground to hold us securely. After setting everything up again, we made lunch and headed for Kings Canyon to do the walks. We tackled the 6 km ‘Kings Canyon Rim Walk’ in a clockwise direction first, stopping for lunch in the ‘Garden of Eden’. The first hundred metres was very steep and tiring. But, once past this first
Kings Canyon
Our Night out at BBQ Bar steep part, whilst we stepped up and down rocky outcrops, it was far easier and enjoyable. The views were spectacular and the boys thoroughly enjoyed taking turns at leading us through the rocky track marked out with pointers. We completed the walk, including the lunch stop, in 2.45 hours. When we returned to the car park level, although the skies looked grey and threatening, we decided to do the ‘Kings Creek River’ walk which took us about 45 minutes, return trip. Whilst the views and scenery were excellent, the rim walk was by far the better of the two.
We returned to the caravan park under dark skies to relax prior to dinner. To the boy’s amazement, a friend they had made at Uluru, Luke, his sister, Charlotte and their mum and dad were camped right next door. They are also going to Alice Springs after here and we have planned to stay together, as well as going to the Camel Races this coming weekend. We decided to give our selves a special treat and go to the Desert BBQ for dinner and enjoy the live entertainment. It was lots of fun, the food was good but it was
Kings Canyon
Climbing the Rim Walk reasonably expensive, restaurant prices for pub meals .
The forecast storms / rain finally came at about 8.45pm in the form of a spectacular electrical storm. Lots of amazing lightening and thunder, as well as short, light showers, (no heavy rain at this stage, fingers crossed).
Day 14 Kings Canyon
Overnight, we had several bouts of heavy rain and it was still showering when we awoke. It was a nervous night for Leanne and I, as this was the first rainy night we had spent in our Tru Blu trailer. We had been told by several other Tru Blu owners that the first rainy episode normally produced several heavy leaks. Luckily for us, we only had a few minor weeps and nothing got really wet. As it was showering still, we had a lazy morning and decided we would drive out to Katherine Springs and weather permitting, we would do this walk. When we went to the general store, we were informed by the shop keeper that the rainfall overnight had totaled 32mm, so we were happy with the trailers performance. We were also told that last time it rained, at a similar time of year, for
Kings Canyon
The Garden of Eden 2 days in a row the roads were flooded and people were stranded for days until the water subsided. After speaking with several people, including Luke’s parents Wayne and Sue Hayward, we decided to phone Kings Canyon
As we drove out of Kings Canyon Resort, we were confronted with a ‘Water Over Road’ sign! The Kings Creek flood crossing had approximately 3” of water flowing across the road which we drove through with ease but, it worried us as the water levels would continue to rise whilst it was still raining. We drove to Kathlene Springs, donned our rain coats and walked into the springs. It was spitting rain occasionally, but all in all it was worth the walk. We saw the old stock yards used by the aboriginal drovers and the Kathlene Spring itself. In the very early days, the natives used to herd the animal life into the canyon and then pick off their trapped prey. There was only a trickle of water flowing over the rocks into the waterhole, whilst we were there.
On our return to the Resort, we decided to call at Kings Canyon to see if the Kings Creek and the various
Kings Canyon
Kings Canyon Cliffs waterfalls were running after all the overnight rain. As we walked towards the Kings Creek walk we saw the creek crossing from the rim walk was flooded and flowing hard. We couldn’t reach any of the waterfalls as we needed to cross the creek to access them. When we caught up with Wayne and Sue they explained that when they had walked up to the Kings Creek lookout platform the creek bed was dry. As they arrived Wayne heard what he thought was a waterfall running. As he looked around, he saw Kings Creek starting to flow. Sue videoed the whole thing, including them wading through the now flowing creek bed. We have seen their video and it is truly amazing footage. I am going to try and get a copy of it, as this is a rare occurrence.
After dinner, as it was still raining intermittently with very ominous skies, we resigned to the fact it would probably be a wet pack up tomorrow, possibly in the rain. We started packing up what we could that night, in between showers, to ease the burden in the morning. As we had a reasonable drive to Alice Springs, we managed
Kings Canyon
Kathlene Springs Walk a reasonably early night.
Day 15 Kings Canyon to Alice Springs
We awoke to light showers on the tent roof and decided to get moving as quickly as possible, rain, hail or shine. After breakfast, we managed to pack up in between showers, however the tent was very wet. The car and trailer packed (in excellent time), we departed Kings Canyon Resort 20 minutes after Wayne and Sue at 9.00am. Whilst we headed back along the bitumen, the Hayward’s took the dirt shortcut across to Stuarts Wells, saving them several hours driving. We topped up fuel at Mt Ebenezer and stopped for lunch at Erulinda at 12.15pm. After feeding the troops we headed north to Alice arriving at the MacDonnell Range Holiday Park at 3.00pm. Whilst there was a long line of vans out front, we managed to get in and get setup reasonably quickly. They put us up the back of the park, next to the Hayward’s, but the bonus was the BMX Track at our front door, the boys love it!
Day 16 Alice Springs
Once again we had a lazy morning and after breakfast we went into Alice to do shopping, publish our
Kings Canyon
Kings River Flooding second Travelblog and have a look around. On return to the park, we prepared lunch and walked across to the Race Track for the 37th Annual Camel Cup. It was a spectacle and a half to see the camels and jockeys racing around the track. As the wind was bitterly cold, we had to return to the park for our jackets in an attempt to keep warm. Hence we didn’t stay long after the Camel Cup was run with Tassie Devil taking out first prize. Because it was so cold, we returned to the park, lit a nice fire and enjoyed a hearty dinner of meat and veggies. We decided that if it was clear skies early tomorrow, we would walk to the top of the hill at the rear of the park to see the sun rise.
Day 17 Alice Springs
We awoke at 6.40am and decided we would do the walk. Leanne, William and Chris dressed and braved the cold as they climbed the steep rocky side of the hill. Unfortunately, the cloudy skies took the edge off the sunrise, but as the rising sun intermittently shone through the clouds, the colour changes on the MacDonnell
Northern Territory
Crossing the Border Ranges was spectacular. The view of Alice was also great. As Daniel didn’t awake in time this morning, we may do the walk again before we leave so he gets the opportunity to see the sights. On return to our camp we went to the Sunday Pancake breakfast that the Park has provided for ‘holidayers’ every Sunday for the last 9 years. The queues were 40 people long at one stage which gives you an idea of how tasty they were. The boys went back for seconds and we enjoyed our breakfast treat.
After breakfast we headed into Alice Springs for the reputed Sunday Markets with the Hayward’s. The markets were quiet large and the girls thoroughly enjoyed themselves checking out the stalls. We then bought some supplies before heading out to the Desert Wildlife Park. We all thoroughly enjoyed this tour as it was informative and interesting. We returned to the park and prepared a fire for our spit roast dinner of pork, lamb and roast vegetables. Wayne put our pork on his spit and their lamb and veggies in the camp oven. At around 6pm we served up a meal fit for kings! What a day!
Thanks for the emails and yes we are having a great time. We are leaving Alice Springs Tuesday morning early and will possibly be out of phone contact for a few days.
Hope this Blog finds you all well, until we publish the next one, it's bye from the Glenisters
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Dave NISBET
non-member comment
Having A good time
Hi Mate, It looks like your having a great time with the family.........I am going to have to do the same when the girls are a bit older.....if the girls let me or want to......